BookTalk: They Were Her Property, Chapters 3 and 4…Bossing and Better Markets

Chapter 3. Missus Done Her Own BossingChapter 4. She Thought She Could Find a Better Market I’m winding down, and I have just a few more chapters before I finish the book I’ve been summarizing, They were her property (Jones-Rogers, 2019). I’m really excited about reading and reflecting on Chapter 5 about wetnursing, but IContinue reading “BookTalk: They Were Her Property, Chapters 3 and 4…Bossing and Better Markets”

BookTalk Chapter 2: No couverture here…”I belong to de Mistis”

It’s been a long time since I’ve done a BookTalk, and I really need to get a move on so that I can start reading the other books on my list. I like to write about, take notes on, and draw my thoughts about what I read. Lucky you, that means you get to readContinue reading “BookTalk Chapter 2: No couverture here…”I belong to de Mistis””

Reconstructing the Life of George Wheaton: Part I

Recently, my family and I took a vacation that we called our “Civil Pursuits Trip”.  We visited Civil War and Civil Rights sites in Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee.  It was quite an education even though I had heard about and/or studied many of the historical events before.  All I could think about was what it wasContinue reading “Reconstructing the Life of George Wheaton: Part I”

I Know You Are, But What Am I? Race, Identity, and DNA

When I mentioned my idea for this blog post’s title, my 12 year-old daughter looked at me quizzically. She had no idea what I was referencing and chalked it up to “lame”, 1970’s speak. But, if you are somewhere in the vicinity of my generation, you might remember giving this playground retort to other children’sContinue reading “I Know You Are, But What Am I? Race, Identity, and DNA”

What does the Bible have to say about family history?

Traditionally, people have tried to avoid religion and politics in their daily conversations because, even with the most respectful and friendly participants, attitudes and moods often take a turn for the worst when there are disagreements. In these days of economic and social turmoil, however, people tend to be pretty open about their political opinions.Continue reading “What does the Bible have to say about family history?”

Chronologizing and Chronicling Your Ancestors: A Case Study of John Rem

I read an article that NGS tweeted several weeks ago in which the author, Aaron Goodwin, discussed this idea of exploring a particular ancestor by documenting their life events year by year. As a side note, I was surprised to discover that the word “chronologize” is apparently a legitimate one to describe this valuable researchContinue reading “Chronologizing and Chronicling Your Ancestors: A Case Study of John Rem”

Y’all know black folks owned slaves, too, right? A discussion of genealogy, privilege, and power

Recent conversations about racial injustice, inequality, and inequity often refer to the notion of white privilege, which refers to the idea that whites have greater access to power and resources than people of color do and that they might not even be attuned to this “leg up” they have. Some people believe that white privilegeContinue reading “Y’all know black folks owned slaves, too, right? A discussion of genealogy, privilege, and power”